Wednesday, 20th June, 2018

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table of the Senate, today, Wednesday 20th June, 2018:-

Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statement of the Meru County Microfinance Corporation for the year ended 30 June, 2017.

Is the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Roads and Transportation or any Member of that Committee here?

Kindly, proceed, Sen. Malalah.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table of the Senate, today, Wednesday 20th June, 2018:

Report of the Standing Committee on Roads and Transportation on the Kenya Roads Bill (National Assembly Bills No. 47 of 2017) .

Mr. Speaker Sir, I wish to make a Statement on an issue of general topical concern under Standing Order (46) (2) (a) . Pursuant to Standing Order

imported sugar unfit for human consumption.” Why would anybody import and store sugar that is unfit for human consumption?

Mr. Speaker, Sir, on a wider picture, the sugar factories of Mumias, Nzoia, Chemelil, Muhoroni, Sony, Ramisi, among others, are state-owned and funded. If sugar factories were allowed to import sugar, how much was imported by these state-owned factories rather than the single individual-owned factory that we know?

It should be noted that reckless importation of sugar has crippled all the sugar factories that I have mentioned. Available information indicates that a single privately- owned medium sized sugar company, situated in Western Kenya, imported over 500,000 metric tonnes of sugar, which is about our national consumption. This reckless and criminal conduct has crippled the factories that sustain the livelihoods of well over 10 million Kenyans who live directly or indirectly on these factories and the sugar production.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, we are now noticing publicized fanfare of arrests of retailers and wholesalers without tracing the chain back to the importers. The wholesalers and retailers get sugar from the importers. Where are these importers? What is going on in the sugar sector is a scandal of monstrous proportions. Kenyans and particularly we the representatives of the people must be told the truth about this scandal.

Apportioning blame, name calling and making politically laced statements does not resolve the problem. It does not require rocket science to know who is causing havoc in the sugar sector and why those who are clearly culpable remain untouchable. The Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries of this House should, on its own motion or on the direction from the Chair, be investigating the matter to protect Kenyans from this uncontrolled greed.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, just to add to this formal Statement, when the Pan African Paper Mills in Webuye was sold to one Rai, the hype was that it was being sold to be revived to make pulp and paper and create jobs. Little did we know that the massive godowns of Pan African Paper Mills in Webuye were going to be turned into godowns for storing contraband sugar. The sugar comes all the way from Brazil and information available, and is in the hands of the investigation agencies, is that the sugar was loaded in Brazil and brought as cargo on open ship. It was loaded into trucks like sand; shovelled around and piled in godowns like construction sand. This is the same sugar that we want to feed Kenyans on.

Secondly, I come from the Western part of Kenya where West Kenya sugar Company is. Nobody has said that the product of West Kenya Sugar Company is poisonous. What we are saying is that fraud is being perpetrated using the West Kenya Sugar Company to import and mislabel sugar from elsewhere, as a product of that company. This is being perpetrated by using West Kenya Sugar Company to import and mislabel sugar from elsewhere as a product of that company and then circulate it into the market.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Government should come clean on the issue of how the sugar trade is managed in this country. You have seen godowns and small shopkeepers in Eastleigh and all over being arrested, locked up and harassed for possessing trading material called sugar that they have probably bought from wholesalers and importers.

There are always records of movement of goods in any country. When a commodity arrives at the port, the records are there. When they are moved to warehouses, there are warehousing records. When it moves on to wholesalers, there are records. So, it is not difficult to trace who is doing this.

Lastly, the gazette notice issued by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance is a matter that this House must investigate. Under International Trade Law, when a person issues a notice and traders load their goods, that is locked in and becomes legitimate up to the port of discharge. The Cabinet Secretary issued a gazette notice, traders ordered for goods, then, while they were on the high seas, he changed the effective date of arrival of goods in the country and gave effect on the date of the second gazette notice to give advantage to some known sugar baron whose sugar of 500,000 metric tons was already arriving in Mombasa.

That is the sugar that is causing havoc in the country. The national consumption of sugar in the country is below 6000 tonnes in a year. If we allow one single trader to bring 500,000 tonnes in one stroke, what story are you telling about Nzoia Sugar, Mumias Sugar, Ramisi Sugar, Muhoroni Sugar, Sony Sugar and all other factories? This is the big question.

This House must have a firm say on what is going on in the sugar sector in the country. We are saying that it is being politicized but in my view, what is happening in the sector is criminal and those involved must be dealt with as criminals.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

Sen. Malalah, I will allow you to also make your Statement since you have a lot of passion for sugar and you have several factories in your county.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, I stand to make a Statement on an issue of general topical concern under Standing Order No. 46 (2) (a) , on contraband or poisonous products and allegedly imported sugar.

Pursuant to Standing Order No. 46 (2) (a) , I rise to issue a Statement on contraband or poisonous products and illegally imported sugar in Kenya.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am referring to the ongoing crackdown on contraband products and illegally imported consumer products particularly sugar which is a concern to the country at large and the people of Kakamega County who I represent. The allegations about contaminated sugar and excessive importation of sugar beyond the required quota to meet the shortfall in local production are extremely emotive issues that have far- reaching implications on the economy of Western Kenya, given the potential of resulting into closure of factories, loss of jobs, loss of business and injury to an already ailing sugar industry.

Mr. Speaker Sir, Kenya has declared war on contraband products infiltrating through its borders from other countries. I fully support the efforts being made to protect our economy and protect consumers from harmful products. I am glad that the national

Government has put a red alert to all its agencies charged with protecting the citizens from harmful and toxic substances and the channels through which they get to the ultimate consumers.

The Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Coordination of National Government should be commended for leading the onslaught on this war. I am happy he has promised a speedy resolution especially on sugar related products. However, in addition to the efforts by the Executive, I believe that as representatives of the people and guardians of the counties, we have an equal, if not greater, obligation to conduct objective and facts based investigations into this saga and recommend appropriate remedial measures to ensure public interest is safeguarded and necessary corrections made based on facts and truth.

Mr. Speaker Sir, in making this Statement and asking for investigation into this matter by the appropriate committee of the Senate, I am cognizant of two things. First, under the Fourth Schedule to the Constitution, agriculture is a devolved function and so the Senate and its committees must be at the centre stage of any investigations into matters concerning agriculture. Specifically, sugarcane is one of the most important cash crops in Kenya and undoubtedly the most important in the Western Kenya counties. Secondly, under Article 96 of the Constitution, one of the main functions of the Senate is to represent the county governments and protect their interests.

Mr. Speaker Sir, the County of Kakamega is a major stakeholder in the sugar industry. The county is the home of three large sugar mills namely; Mumias Sugar Company, Butali Sugar Mills and West Kenya Sugar Company Ltd. In terms of capacity, Mumias Sugar is the largest sugar mill in Kenya whilst West Kenya is the second largest. As we all know, Mumias Sugar Company has been facing many challenges in recent years leading to its closure partly on account of mismanagement and cane shortages.

As a direct consequence of the closure of Mumias Sugar Company, the importance of Butali and West Kenya Sugar Companies from the standpoint of employment and economic mainstay of farmers in Kakamega County cannot be gainsaid. Butali Sugar Mill employs about 1000 people and has contracted about 40,000 farmers to supply it with cane. On its part, West Kenya Sugar Factory employs 3500 workers and has contracted over 60,000 small scale-farmers to supply it with cane.

Mr. Speaker Sir, I have underscored these economic facts because in the ongoing controversy over contraband sugar, I have heard sensational calls for withdrawal of milling licenses to companies such as West Kenya Sugar Company that have been adversely mentioned in the contraband sugar saga.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I concede that appropriate action should be taken against all entities that upon full, comprehensive and objective investigations will be found culpable for either illegal importation of sugar or trading in contaminated or poisonous sugar.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, sugar cartels will be the major beneficiaries of any hasty punitive action against sugar millers in Kenya. Therefore, because of the multiple interests of stakeholders involved in the sugar sector, I rise to caution that withdrawal of licences or any adverse action against millers should come after investigations and not before those investigations are concluded, including by the appropriate Committee of this august House.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am quick to add that in the unlikely event that culpability is arrived at on any of the milling companies, regard should be had on the process of dealing with them considering that a withdrawal of milling licence would be counter- productive, excessive and injurious to the economy of Kakamega County.

Mr. Speaker Sir, the three milling companies aforementioned contribute immensely to the revenue collected by the County Government of Kakamega. As a House, we must give direction to this matter, digest and decide whether this war against contrabands is meant to stop the vice or fuel competition wars between two importers.

Mr Speaker, I am privy to information that witch-hunt and blackmail is rife in the sugar importation business. I am further aware that West Kenya Mills are in possession of a valid sugar importation permit. I, therefore, seek direction in knowing whether this fight against sugar contrabands is genuine or targeting one importer to the exclusion of others.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, it must not go unmentioned that we have 200 business persons licensed to import sugar in this country. The process of importing sugar as set by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) is that, once you import brown sugar, you must take to a factory or a miller to refine it before you distribute. Of the 200 importers, only six have got milling factories. It means that there are only six importers who refine sugar and distribute it to the market. It means that 194 importers in this country are importing sugar directly and distributing without refining.

We need to come up with regulations to make it a must that the importers or anybody who will be licensed to import sugar in this country must have a milling factory or else, we shall continue consuming contaminated sugar.

This matter needs fair adjudication. I was surprised yesterday when I saw people who are players in the sugar industry in the National Assembly standing before the House and saying that they would table a list of the cartels. I want to challenge the National Assembly Majority Leader hon. Duale to table that list---

order. You are out of order, Sen. Malalah.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, ---

Order! Conclude your statement.

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker, Sir. This is with regard to the conduct of the Member of Parliament on the Floor. He should withdraw and apologise.

I rule you out of order. Withdraw and apologise. You cannot discuss a Member of another House in this House.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am not discussing that Member but referring to the HANSARD that has been---.

Order, Member. Withdraw and apologise.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I withdraw. Though I do not know how to withdraw---.

Order, Member. Withdraw and apologise.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I apologise and withdraw

Okay. Conclude.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, we need to ask ourselves very difficult questions. First, we have been told that there is mercury in the sugar that is being supplied in this country. Do we have a report from the Government Chemist showing us that there is mercury in sugar? Who is this person who came up with the theory that there was mercury in the sugar being distributed? A police officer does not have microscopic eyes to determine mercury in sugar. We need to have an official report from the Government Chemist showing that there is mercury in the sugar.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I assure this House that once this matter has been concluded, it will be “messy, noisy and will have casualties”. This is because this matter interweaves; there are even players in the sugar industry seated with us in this Parliament. In a weeks’ time, I will be tabling names of the Members of Parliament who are also part of the cartels ailing our country.

I beg to stop there. However, I speak from a very painful position because Kakamega County depends on sugar. Why do we allow people who do not trade and plant to be the biggest beneficiaries of sugar yet the farmer in Kakamega County is not benefitting from sugar farming?

We want this matter to be committed to the relevant Committee in this House so that we can come up with a speedy conclusion and unearth the truth about this sugar menace in this country.

Thank you.

Let us have Sen. Mutula Kilonzo Jnr.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. The Statements by both Sen. Wetangula and Sen. Malalah are disturbing because nobody is speaking about the common mwananchi- that person in Isiolo, Lamu or Lungalunga at the border who is consuming sugar innocently. The person who delivered the sugar to Kenya; the importer and the one who put a sticker to approve that the sugar was safe for consumption are known. The cartels from the statements that are being made in the public domain are also known.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am afraid that I do not agree with the statement made, that Parliament should investigate this matter. I believe that Parliament is also accused. How can we know sugar barons and we are threatening to table names instead of just doing that? It is an embarrassment.

I personally call upon the President under Cap 102, that this is the time to form a commission of inquiry to interrogate your Government because it is your Government that is responsible. The people who authorised the whole process and the cartels are sitting in Government. This is the only way to get the truth. When we wanted to deal with the Goldenberg Scandal, it was called the house of cards. This sugar is like a house cards for the Jubilee Government because they have made Kenyans consume mercury.

In fact, when you think about mercury, I would rather it was dust or mud. If we put mercury in water, it reacts violently. Imagine that in the stomachs of Kenyan children and yet we are threatening to table names. Shame on you leaders!

Mr. President, let us deal with this issue now and for all. Parliament is not capable of any investigation. We cannot investigate ourselves. We have been unable to do so for the last several years. Let truth be told.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, lastly, sometimes I do not agree with the words “third world”. However, we live in the third world and behave as if we are in the third world. Where people matter - in the book by the gentleman called Steve Hilton - Ministers in charge of Immigration and Agriculture should have resigned by now.

I will not speak as angrily as Sen. Malalah, but the President must get rid of this. This means, he should bundle off the people who are destroying this country. This is a peace loving country. We are so innocent but these cartels---.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I stand to support the statement. Even if I do not want to talk about individuals here, the fact of the matter is that Kenyans are suffering. It does not matter whatever we say it here if Kenyans are dying because of ingesting wastes from other areas. I do not call that sugar. That is unfortunate.

I agree with Sen. Mutula Kilonzo Jnr. that it is time we asked the President to act. Stories and laying blames on others is not the issue, but action is key. The axe should fall on somebody. We know everybody. We are being told everybody is known. If everybody is known, why are we wasting time talking politics here? We are wasting our time. In any case, why should we not allow the sugarcane farmers to farm the sugarcane and help them grow instead of allowing people to import sugar? There is no need for factories to import sugar when the sugarcane farmers are suffering.

Kenya has suffered enough for the last 50 years. We continue like this and thugs are becoming rich by the day because of counterfeit products. The small man in Wajir County is suffering. That is not fair.

The other unfairness here is getting hold of the person who imported this sugar. It has passed through Kenya ports and entry points. Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) , Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) know where it passed. Why do we go for a small wholesaler who has the receipts from who brought it into the country?

This debate is trivialized in terms of tribal, clanism and others. This issue of profiling people is not right. When I bought this product from a gentleman, everybody knows and I have the receipt, money and account name. The person who was given the money is there. He should say “Wachana na huyu, mimi ndio nime…” Sorry, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for mixing the languages. He should say, “Leave this one alone, I am the one who imported this sugar.”

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for giving me this opportunity to support the two statements. I have always stated in this House several times that I do not know how difficult it is to govern any nation. For that matter, a country like Kenya because every sector is now ailing. It is not only about the sugar. I am a product of sugarcane. My father was a big sugarcane farmer. There are so many other people in this nation and the whole of Western Kenya that we can count. We should not even segment the former Western and Nyanza provinces.

Sugarcane is a cash crop that has helped many people. When we are talking about some of the things that are ailing this country, we should be specific and serious. This is not about individuals or tribes. This idea that if you mention a name belonging to a particular tribe, then the rest who belong to that tribe are up in arms, should cease. We, as leaders, should stop it. We will carry our cross as Members of the Senate and leaders of this nation.

Every sector is ailing. Yesterday there was an article in the newspaper about the Ministry of Health again. There was another scandal. In each and every sector, it seems that there is a scandal ailing this nation. We should be serious. The issue of corruption is now a disease. It is something that can kill everybody. Why is everybody dying of cancer? Why were people not dying of cancer before? We are still eating the same foods. It is some of the things that we consume from leaders or business people who do not have any respect for human life. They only respect themselves as long as they can get rich.

In this House, we cannot debate corruption day in, day; out. It is time that we rose to the occasion and initiated some action. We can even stop coming to Parliament and do something about corruption. We know some of these people. Yesterday, the leader of opposition said they know them. If they know them, we should know who they are. We

can leave this House and go for them from their houses. It is time we started acting rather than discussing corruption day in, day out.

There are issues in Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA). Each and every sector is ailing. It is up to the President to act firmly and come out as a strong leader and assure Kenyans he is equal to the task we gave him.

I beg to support, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

Proceed. Sen. Cherargei Samson Kiprotich.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise to support both statements made by Sen. Wetangula and Sen. Malalah. I also come from a county where we do farming of sugarcane in Mosop, Chemelil and Chemase. In fact, we share Chemelil sugar factory with Kisumu County.

The reason why the sugar industry is flopping is simple. It means that there are people who are benefiting from this sugar. It is just like the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) scam. There were many illegal importations of maize into the country. That is why many farmers still have maize in their stores.

We, as Senators, appreciate what the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government, Dr. Fred Matinag’i is doing. However, by the time those shopkeepers are arrested across the country, where are the sugar barons who imported this sugar? As much as we are discussing sugar issues, Parliament has been accused of not doing much. I am convinced beyond any doubt that the KRA, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) , the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) know those barons who imported sugar into this country. Why are we discussing the issue of committing it to any Committee? Yes, we can do so, but we want to resolve these issues, once and for all.

The President has been unequivocal that corruption must be finished. I agree with what Sen. Malalah said. If we want to succeed in the war against corruption, we should not have one person or two people in mind. Let us not be accused of political witch-hunt, use extortion or blackmail tactics. We must fight it in good faith and follow the law and procedures.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I want to call upon the relevant Committee that will be given this opportunity – and I know that it is the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries or any other relevant Committee – to come up with radical proposals. This is so that our farmers who have lost, especially in Western Kenya and Nandi County can have an opportunity or value of toiling for 18 months to get the sugar that we need in this country.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is very sad that we are facing so many cancer cases as a country. The cause is simple; we have been consuming waste! We have not been consuming things that have been approved. That is why we ask what the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) is doing, because they are the people who standardise and approve any products imported into this country. It is high time that some of these agencies are awoken from their slumber to address these issues once and for all.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am happy that corruption will finally be fought from the highest office in this country, up to even mama mboga and everybody else.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

Proceed, Sen. Farhiya. Hon. Senators, because of the interest, I will now limit the discussions to three minutes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for allowing me to contribute to this Statement. There is the issue that my Senator for Wajir County was talking about; in terms of someone telling the police: “This is the person who sold it to me.” I also heard that story over the weekend. If we go that route, then we are just creating distractions along the way. At the end of the day, fighting corruption and adding value to Kenyans’ lives will not bear any fruits. Therefore, let us deal with the issue.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, this is a very clear process. We might not know who committed the other crimes, but this one is very clear. Who imported this sugar? Even in terms of the quality and the form the sugar was in, the Government just needs to follow that person. Do not harass people who might have bought the sugar from a third party. This issue was also used as an excuse to extort and harass the Somali Community during the terrorism issue.

Somalis are also victims in this issue of terrorism because just the other day, you heard that out of the eight people who were killed, seven of them were from the local Somali Community. Therefore, let us not use this fight to create another corruption on corruption, by extorting people who are innocent.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, sometimes I wonder where the value for people’s lives is. Surely, how desperate are you for that money that you even want kill your fellow Kenyans? Probably, it will even kill you, because you never know how it will come around.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, part of the President’s Big Four Agenda is the industrialisation and manufacturing sector. However, through the illegal importation of sugar, we are actually killing those factories and industries that we already have. How are we, therefore, going to achieve that Agenda? Therefore, the people importing sugar are also killing the ambition of the President as represented by the Big Four Agenda. Therefore, as the Jubilee Party, we want those people fought vehemently.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, there are too many distractions---

Order, Sen. Farhiya; your time is up. You need to organise your thoughts so that you deliver fast. I will add you one more minute.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. There are too many distractions around corruption and this might distract the whole process. Therefore, let us deal with one issue and conclude it. Just like typical Kenyans, let us not deal with one issue, forget about it and move to the next one. We, therefore, need to focus on the issue of corruption; otherwise, we can forget about development in this country.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for your indulgence.

Proceed, Sen. Wambua.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I also want to add my voice to support statements by colleagues, Sen. Wetangula and Sen. Malalah, on this matter of sugar imports.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I just want to make two points. First, if indeed it is true that there was drought and, therefore, there was need for importation of sugar into the country, the most logical thing the Government should have done was to facilitate sugar companies owned by the Government. Sony, Chemelil, Nzoia and Mumias sugar companies, where the Government has majority shares, should have been the ones to bring in this sugar and help avert whatever crisis we were facing, if any.

Second, Mr. Speaker, Sir, this debate must now move to action. We need to prosecute the person who imported this sugar into this country. We, the people of Kitui, do not grow sugar, but we are net consumers of the commodity and in large quantities. Some of this consignment was impounded in Kitui and Mwingi towns, which means that this consignment has found its way into every corner of this country. The person who imported this sugar is probably seated somewhere, perhaps even following this debate and wondering what we are talking about.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I urge the Government to note that this is a crime that, if committed in other countries, Governments would have resigned. People are dying and they are not dying in small numbers. We lost a Member just the other day through cancer and here we are, debating and considering which Committee will deal with this Statement, yet we know the person who imported this sugar into this country. That person should be behind bars today, answering questions as to why they did what they did.

Thirdly, Mr. Speaker, Sir, KEBS have no business being in office today. If this is a serious country and Government, then action must be seen to be done. We must stop this talk and act.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

Proceed, Sen. Poghisio.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I join the rest of my colleagues who have boldly spoken on this matter in support of the Statement. It must be difficult being a leader in this country, particularly being in the legislature. This is because on one hand, you know what to condemn and, on the other hand, you want to defend the people behind these schemes. It is very unfortunate. Just because somebody wants to be defended, we should be very careful so that we do not look like we are not reconciling our minds with our hearts.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, this is a very serious matter on sugar; it is an economic as well as a health crime. It is like terrorism, because to have sugar that is laced with anything that is not consumable is an attempt to destroy people. We should, therefore, not have any sense of sympathy with the people who are dealing in this kind of business.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, for you to run for the Office of the President in this country, you need a lot of money. When you need that money, you resort to any means to get it, and that is the problem. Money decides who becomes President; and that is where we are going. Therefore, if you do not have money, you should not even try to be President. That

is why I am saying that if you want to be President, you should look for money through other ways and not through this particular one.

Order! Your time is up. Sen. Shiyonga.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, thank you for giving me this opportunity to support the two statements that have been brought here by the two Senators. As other Senators have said, the local sugar industry has been hit hard by corruption, mismanagement and a coalition of cartels composed of barons who are bringing down the sugar industry.

I come from an area where sugarcane is a cash crop. The farmers and the community in general in the county depend on this crop for their livelihood. Therefore, it is very sad to see that avenues have been opened in Kenya to bring in sugar to sabotage the farmers in the Western region and other regions that grow this crop. Many commissions have been formed and investigations done, but they end up nowhere. Kenyans need to unite and look for possible ways of assisting the famers who are suffering because they depend on this particular crop.

The farmers in my constituency and county are poorer because they have been sabotaged by the same Government that is supposed to protect them. It ishigh time

Kenyans looked for a solution that is long lasting. Even if a commission of inquiry is formed today, it will not help. It will spend money and will not help.

The investigation teams will be formed, write reports and end up nowhere. The best way of dealing with the culprits is by arresting them. We need to be shown one of them. It is Kenyans who are importing this sugar. They are people who do not have morals. They are bringing in sugar to kill people. Actually, they do not value the health of Kenyans. These people should be arrested---

Order, Senator! You have made your point. Yes, Sen. Wamatangi.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, the expression at the termination of that debate by my honourable colleague is testimony enough that three minutes is not enough to discuss a thing as sweet as sugar gone sour. I want to confess that I had a cup of tea earlier in the day, just before lunch, and I feel some twitches in my stomach. I do not know whether it could be mercury, iron or whatever it is.

Order, Member! Your time is up. Please, try to put your thoughts together, so that you make your point within the three minutes.

Sen. (Dr.) Kabaka.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I will make minimum points. One thing is very clear. There is a man who used to be a Member of Parliament and hails from the land of Abaluhya known us Martin Shikuku. He used to say he would always speak the truth because God is truth. I want to take up from his mantle. I hear people saying that they cannot name people who are behind this. I am going to name people, with evidence, because it has been reported.

This sugar was found, and I have the record--- As a lawyer I know better. I do not care about anybody who wants to threaten my life; I am ready to die. I was hospitalised last week and discharged yesterday. I would have gone the other way. My point here is that there is a man known as Rai. I do not know who he is, but he is an Asian, and I am sorry. I am saying so because a lot of this sugar was found in his warehouse. I hear that this man known as Rai is connected to His Excellency the President of the Republic. Mr. President, please, listen; if you are doing business with Rai disclose it to Kenyans. Otherwise, we will be going round in circles; making commissions---

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

Why are you stopping me?

Order, Member! Sen. Dullo, what is your point of order?

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am not in business, but this is a House of evidence. You cannot name the President as being behind the sugar cartel. Can you provide evidence? If you cannot, withdraw and apologise.

Order, Members! Order! What the hon. Senator has raised is important; you need to substantiate, give evidence or withdraw and apologise,

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I will bring yesterday’s newspaper cuttings.

Order, Member!

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I have a lot of respect for the House and there is freedom to speak. Any Member can say any point but they need to support their argument. However, it is important that we be orderly and respect the rules of debate and also the Standing Orders of this House. A Member can only be allowed to do that by giving evidence but in the absence of that, he should withdraw and apologise. If he has facts, he can bring them at the right time.

I think it is preposterous to---

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I support what he is saying. The Hon. Member who says he is a lawyer should be reading our Standing Orders. A newspaper report is not evidence. He should withdraw and apologise. Kuja hapa!

Sen. (Dr.) Kabaka, according to our Standing Order No.94, you are supposed to substantiate and if you want to produce evidence which is not

based on newspaper reportings, because we cannot admit that, you should produce evidence or apologise. We can give you up to tomorrow if you want.

The Senate Minority Leader (Sen. Orengo): Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is unfortunate for a Member of Parliament to be punished before listening to what he said. I listened to him carefully. An allegation is different from a statement of fact. What he said was not even an allegation or a statement of fact. He said; “If the President” and we can confirm from the HANSARD.

We have freedom of expression and if you begin to curtail it in a House of Parliament, then the Kenyan democracy will die. I think we are being overly sensitive. We must speak truth to each other. In order to have a proper resolution of this matter, the HANSARD is available. We shall look at the HANSARD and find out.

Sen. (Dr.) Kabaka said that; “I am speaking as a lawyer”. He was very careful about what he wanted to say. He said; “If you Mr. President are doing business”.

I urge that we look at the HANSARD and if it happens that he made a statement of fact and not a statement of speculation, or a proposition which is not factual, then as part of the leadership in this House, I will be the first to call upon Sen. (Dr.) Kabaka to substantiate. However, I think we are trying to crucify him without hearing him out.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I largely concur with the last part of what the Senate Minority Leader has said.

Hon. Members, let us consult in low tones so that we are together.

I agree with the last part of what the Senate Minority Leader has said but to be factual, when the Senator was speaking, he said – and the Hansard is available – that I hear that Mr. so and so is connected---. The latitude that we enjoy as MPs does not include speculation to that extent.

The point is that if such a statement is to be made by a Member here, then he has the obligation to substantiate according to our Standing Orders. Those are our Standing Orders and we cannot look for a shortcut.

Hon. Members, let us consult in low tones so that we are together.

I agree with the last part of what the Senate Minority Leader has said but to be factual, when the Senator was speaking, he said – and the Hansard is available – that I hear that Mr. so and so is connected---. The latitude that we enjoy as MPs does not include speculation to that extent.

The point is that if such a statement is to be made by a Member here, then he has the obligation to substantiate according to our Standing Orders. Those are our Standing Orders and we cannot look for a shortcut.

What are you laughing about?

Order, Members!

What are you laughing about?

Order Members! Let him finish.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for giving me this opportunity. I stand to support the Statement but I would like to bring the attention of the House to the State of Address of the Nation by the President a few weeks ago when addressed the nation in Parliament. He submitted a few reports, one of which was the Security Report.

In that Report which I had an opportunity to read, the President indicated that Kshs1.7 billion was lost due to counterfeiting just last year alone. While my colleagues are asking the President to do something about this, the President has already owned up that this is a big issue. Going by what he listed in that report, counterfeits are not just sugar like my colleagues have said. They include automotive parts, pharmaceuticals, gas cylinders and everything you can name.

We have had 3,500 deaths on our roads and the reason is because fake automotive parts are making their way into the country. Now there is mercury in sugar.

The President has already told us that Kshs1.7 billion was lost. One of the things that really struck me as I was reading that Report was the helplessness of everybody including the Cabinet Secretary, Mr. Adan Mohammed, who said counterfeit goods have infiltrated the market. The most interesting part of this whole saga is the number of goods being set on fire.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I will go for the second option. I want to tell the Senator for Garissa, if he does not know, that I have been an advocate of the High Court of Kenya for the past 28 years. I have been a lecturer at the University of Nairobi (UoN) and Kenyatta University. I am a holder of five degrees and I know that he does not know that. I did Masters of Law (LL.M) in the UoN; I did Masters of Business Administration (MBA, Finance) , in the UoN; I have a Master of Arts (MA, Philosophy) from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) and MA, Diplomacy from the UoN. Now I am a PhD holder. Lastly, this December, God willing, I will graduate with a PhD in Finance from the UoN. I am on Chapter Four of my research. Who is more learned than me?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for giving me this opportunity. I stand to support the Statement but I would like to bring the attention of the House to the State of Address of the Nation by the President a few weeks ago when addressed the nation in Parliament. He submitted a few reports, one of which was the Security Report.

In that Report which I had an opportunity to read, the President indicated that Kshs1.7 billion was lost due to counterfeiting just last year alone. While my colleagues are asking the President to do something about this, the President has already owned up that this is a big issue. Going by what he listed in that report, counterfeits are not just sugar like my colleagues have said. They include automotive parts, pharmaceuticals, gas cylinders and everything you can name.

We have had 3,500 deaths on our roads and the reason is because fake automotive parts are making their way into the country. Now there is mercury in sugar.

The President has already told us that Kshs1.7 billion was lost. One of the things that really struck me as I was reading that Report was the helplessness of everybody including the Cabinet Secretary, Mr. Adan Mohammed, who said counterfeit goods have infiltrated the market. The most interesting part of this whole saga is the number of goods being set on fire.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I do not know whether you have been following reports and watching the big fires that have been set by the Anti-Counterfeit Agency (ACA). Unfortunately, I have not seen a single person who is behind these goods being brought to book. How comes that billions worth of goods are being set on fire every single day?

Just the other day, we watched Kshs700 million worth of goods being set on fire by the ACA. A couple of weeks ago, Kshs1.2 billion worth of goods was set on fire through the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Kenya but not a single person has been brought to book. What does that say?

Mr. Speaker, Sir, when people ask questions, we should be tolerant because questions are begging answers as to why nobody is being touched yet goods are being set on fire because they are counterfeit. An amount of Kshs50 billion is lost every year even in terms of economic losses but this has gone beyond the economy. So, I encourage this House---

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I am requesting that given the interest I see on this specific Statement, if you could limit the Members responses to two minutes each.

On a point or order, Mr. Speaker, Sir. We have a lot of interest in this matter. It is serious and affects everybody in one way or the other. I have a counter proposal although I know the concern of Sen. Kihika is the voting. Would I be in order to propose that we vote and then we continue? Let us talk about sugar because this sugar is no longer sweet. I do not think people should be limited on what they are saying because this is a very important issue. Let us vote and allow Members to say whatever they want to say, for as long as they want to say it.

Hon. Members, I think I still see a lot of interest in the matter, and it is a matter of national interest under our economy. I want to direct that we suspend this Order, go to the next Order and vote and then come back and continue with the contributions in the House.

Next Order!

Hon. Members, we shall now proceed to vote and I will direct that the Division Bell be rung for one minute.

Order, Hon. Senators! I now direct that the doors be locked and that the bar be drawn.

Log in, hon. Senators. You can start the voting. Any Member who needs assistance on voting, come forward. Sen. (Dr.) Milgo, approach the clerks-at-the table for you will need some assistance.

Hon. Senators, the results are as follows:

people in the security sector, Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).

Let us not be intimidated. I am not happy that Sen. (Dr.) Kabaka is being asked to substantiate his allegations tomorrow. That is intimidation. If the President is responsible for anything and he has declared that he is prepared for an audit---

Order, Senate Minority Leader! I can add you one minute. However, the Speaker has already ruled on the issues of substantiation by Sen. (Dr.) Kabaka. So, do not appear as if you are challenging it. Are you expressing unhappy displeasure? Well if that is the case, I give you two more minutes instead of one. The Senate Minority Leader (

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for adding me the two minutes. I want to plead - now that we have the “handshake”- that we go back and examine our consciences and say if we want a country where we can all live together under one God and Constitution as brothers and sisters and where nobody is above the law; we can only attain that by being responsible citizens. It is the leaders who should be in the forefront of telling others how they should behave and conduct their businesses. What happens about Mr. Rai? We can call his name here, but nobody will rise on a point of order demanding that, that be substantiated. So, the law is being applied discriminately and not in fairness. Therefore, I join Sen. Malalah and hope that just as we did with the issue on Migingo Island, we could, probably, in your discretion, order this matter to be referred to the relevant Committee of the House where it can be discussed in a more rational way so that we can have answers to give to the people.

fought. There were allegations that some of the sitting Members of the National Assembly belong to the sugar cartels.

It is unfortunate that when God puts us in such important positions, we exploit the people that God wants us to lead. In Galatians Chapter 3:1, the Bible says: “You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? ” We have killed our own industries in coffee, tea and rice in many ways. The rice that is sold could be plastic rice and some people talk of eggs being plastic eggs.

I come from a pastoralist community. Before the ban of the plastic bags, we used to lose a lot of animals because they used to consume the plastics and die instantly. Soon, we will feel the impact of this. My request to the Government is that it conducts proper investigation. We should stop talking about the “big fish” and the “small fish.” All the people who are connected to this should be jailed because they are killing our people. We, as a nation, have no future.

As Members of the Senate here, let us stand up and fight for what is right. In Marsabit, we do not produce any sugar, but we consume a lot of it. So, it is high time that we spoke for the voiceless, fight the ill practices in our nation and condemn the sin that we are seeing.

Thank you.

Very well. Let us now have Sen. Ongeri.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. Once again, I stand here today to add my voice on this issue of sugar. Sugar is a commodity that is classified as food and it finds itself in all the formulations in drugs and all forms of drinks.

It is not worrying if this sugar is properly and normally certified processed food. It becomes a worry when its processing is adulterated and deficient in the processing ingredients. Therefore, in the process of generating it, it creates - what I said yesterday – intermediary products through the process. If this sugar is adulterated with mercury during the processing, it produces mercury chloride which is oduorless, colourless and unsuspecting yet it is a killer that causes cancer. We must, therefore, ask ourselves whether the Government and the people of Kenya are being exposed to the forms of cancer we are seeing in abundance in this country to that extent.

In addition to this, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the importation of sugar has taken over the entire amount of sugar that we consume in this country. What happened to the farmer who produced this sugar through the Sugarcane Production Programme? You have already destroyed that pillar. You destroyed it, first of all, by this adulterated and toxic sugar, which is finding its way to the market.

You also destroy that farmer economically by rendering his cane unserviceable and unavailable to the factories. This is because these factories are making bigger profits out of the importation of the sugar coming to this country.You are, therefore, killing a Kenyan in two ways; you are suffocating a Kenyan economically and food wise too.There is, therefore, no Kenyan left to come and even vote for you at the end of this event.

The moral question that the Senate must ask itself ---

One more minute for Sen. (Prof.) Ongeri.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would have said that even alcohol has a sugar base, which when combined with alcohol, turns into another form called acetaldehyde. This product alone destroys DNA, and when the DNA is destroyed, you are potentially exposed to many cancers. Some of these forms of cancer include cancer of the colon, throat, stomach and many others. You may wonder why cancers in this country are on the rise and not on the decline.

Therefore, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, at some stage, we must question the conscience of this country in creating a law to regulate what goes through the mouth and ingestion in drinks---

Thank you. Your time is up. Proceed Sen. Mwangi.

One more minute for Sen. (Prof.) Ongeri.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, they did not hear it. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, there is a lot of sugar that has been found in stores in Nyandarua County which is contaminated with mercury. I do not know why those involved in its importation would like to kill the people of my county; maybe it is for

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me this chance. It is a criminal act for anybody to think of importing sugar that has mercury, knowing what mercury can do to Kenyans. I blame the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) because they should have identified this problem at the Port of Mombasa. This sugar could not have gone to counties if KEBS had done their work.

However, I believe this must have been a conspiracy; it is not a one man act. It must have been a conspiracy between Government agents and, more so, officers at the KEBS and those in big offices in Government for such sugar to come to Kenya. This sugar is believed to have come from Brazil, which is the largest sugar producer globally. A lot of sugar has been imported into this country from Brazil. One wonders why this particular sugar had to contain mercury.

Mr. Sugar--- Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, in Nyandarua County---

Order! Mr. What?

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. Importation of sugar has been an avenue of corruption ever since I joined Government way back in 1991 and it continues to be an avenue of corruption to date. However, because I have only two minutes, I will not go into the details. We tried to limit it by saying that only millers like Mumias Sugar Company should import sugar to meet the shortfall.

There is always a shortfall of sugar compared to consumption in this country, which is met by importation. Even with that, those millers also exercised their own corruption at that level, where officials of some of those companies imported sugar under their own names. The sugar would then be brought to the factory and they would treat it as if they were importations by that factory. However, nothing happened and nothing was done.

Therefore, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I have always wondered why the Government itself cannot import sugar. Why does it give it to individuals and corporations to import? The Government knows the level of consumption required, why can they not do so? We used to have the Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) and so on. Just that one act will stop this corruption.

Secondly, sugar barons fight hard. People are bound to fight where there is money involved. When elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. We have suffered a lot in Busia County because sugar barons have fought each other. A genuine owner of a sugar factory who brought a lot of investment to Busia County was being fought by other barons. They are still there up to now; they have not taken off ---

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I worked for KNTC---

What is it sen. Madzayo? Hold sen. Kibiru’s time.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, you have just said something, but I do not know whether that was an overview of this debate.

What did I say?

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I worked for KNTC---

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, you said this could be the last person to contribute on this issue. We are also waiting on the list.

Yes, I know you are waiting, Senator.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, as I mentioned earlier, I just wanted to confirm from the outset that it is true that this sugar issue did not start yesterday. I happen to have worked for the KNTC for a while. Indeed, we have had these issues of sugar importation since 1991. One wonders why, all of a sudden, it looks like we have just made a new discovery.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, importation of sugar is killing our industries. Every year when long rains came, there was pretence to import sugar in the country and it has not stopped. Currently, the Committee is looking at issues of trade and inquiries on the retail outlets. We have met the Anti-Counterfeit Agency (ACA) , the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) .

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for us to stop corruption and entry of sugar and other goods that are not certified, the agencies must work together. I request that we come up with a proposal to force the agencies, that is, KRA, ACA and KEBS, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) , to work together to protect us from this kind of importation.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, as I conclude, it is not only sugar that is imported illegally into the country. Rice is also being imported. I will not be surprised to hear one day that we are importing contaminated rice. As we move on, we will---

Very well. We had two other Statements under the same provision. However, the sponsors of those Statements have agreed that we defer them to tomorrow.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir.

But you will not speak. Proceed, Sen. Kibiru.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, as I mentioned earlier, I just wanted to confirm from the outset that it is true that this sugar issue did not start yesterday. I happen to have worked for the KNTC for a while. Indeed, we have had these issues of sugar importation since 1991. One wonders why, all of a sudden, it looks like we have just made a new discovery.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, importation of sugar is killing our industries. Every year when long rains came, there was pretence to import sugar in the country and it has not stopped. Currently, the Committee is looking at issues of trade and inquiries on the retail outlets. We have met the Anti-Counterfeit Agency (ACA) , the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) .

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for us to stop corruption and entry of sugar and other goods that are not certified, the agencies must work together. I request that we come up with a proposal to force the agencies, that is, KRA, ACA and KEBS, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) , to work together to protect us from this kind of importation.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, as I conclude, it is not only sugar that is imported illegally into the country. Rice is also being imported. I will not be surprised to hear one day that we are importing contaminated rice. As we move on, we will---

Very well. We had two other Statements under the same provision. However, the sponsors of those Statements have agreed that we defer them to tomorrow.

Thank you, Senator. I will now give a chance to Sen. Seneta.

You have made your point.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me---

Order, Sen. Seneta. Just hold on for one minute.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, can I borrow 30 seconds?

Sen. Olekina, I will add you 30 more seconds.

Thank you, for indulging me with the 30 seconds. It is important for Kenyans to realize that one per cent of the population - the sugar barons - is killing 99 per cent of the population. They are the people who are lining their pockets, using the 99 per cent of the population who buy sugar on a daily basis, to fund their illegal activities.

I request the Committee that is handling this matter to take it up.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me a chance to add my voice to the two Statements. Killing our sugar industry is like killing our economy. Importing contaminated sugar is an economic crime which is killing the Kenyan consumers.

Since agriculture is a devolved function, I urge my colleagues in the Senate not to tire. We should stand with Kenyans and speak to this matter to the last man standing. We should also speak about the corruption at the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) and the issues of contraband products that are coming into our country. We should not tire until we disband KEBS because it is not serving this country.

I do not know why we are beating about the bush and refusing to say what is happening. Why should we chase lorries from Nairobi to Nyanza and Namanga? Why should we not speak to the authority that is supposed to check on these counterfeit products before they enter the country because they know what and where to check? All governors and Senators should speak to this. We should not beat about the bush. We should say that KEBS be dissolved today, and tomorrow we, start appointing a new one.

Asante Bw. Naibu Spika kwa kunipa fursa hii kuchangia taarifa ambayo imetolewa na ndugu yetu Seneta.

Ni kweli kuwa sukari nyingi inayoletwa katika nchi ya Kenya inapitia katika bandari ya Mombasa. Ni kweli pia, kuwa mara ya mwisho sukari ililetwa na kuwekwa kwenye mabohari ambayo yako wazi na hutumika kwa kuweka clinker ambayo inatumika kutengeneza simiti. Hatari iliyoko ni kwamba Wakenya wengi ambao wametumia sukari hiyo wako katika hatari ya kupata ugonjwa wa Saratani kutokana na madini mabaya ambayo yako katika kemikali ya clinker ambayo inatumika kutengeneza simiti.

Katika eneo la Owino-Uhuru Mombasa, nyumba nyingi na wakazi wameathirika kwa sababu ya vumbi inayotokana na ile clinker inayowekwa hapo ili kutengeneza simiti.

Kuna shirika ambalo linaitwa Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) ambalo linahusika na kukagua vyakula vinavyo ingia katika nchi ya Kenya na vinavyo pelekwa nje ya Kenya. KEPHIS ina ofisi katika sehemu ambapo bidhaa zinaingilia na kutoka katika nchi ya Kenya. Ninashangaa kuona kwamba KEPHIS inaweza kuruhusu sukari ambayo inamadini ambayo yanadhuru binadamu kutumika katika nchi ya Kenya.

Bw. Naibu Spika, tumeona mara kwa mara Serikali ya Kenya ikiomba kuongezewa muda ili kutekeleza maazimio ya COMESA kuhusiana na sukari inayoletwa katika nchi ya Kenya. Mpaka sasa, mbali na kwamba viwanda vinaendelea kufilisika, sukari bado inaletwa kutoka nchi zingine kama vile Brazil, ambayo ni kinyume na kanuni za nchi na Serikali inapoteza ushuru mkubwa kutokana na sukari hiyo ambayo inaingia katika nchi ya Kenya. Hii ina maana kuwa tutaendelea kuagiza sukari kutoka nchi za nje

Thank you, for indulging me with the 30 seconds. It is important for Kenyans to realize that one per cent of the population - the sugar barons - is killing 99 per cent of the population. They are the people who are lining their pockets, using the 99 per cent of the population who buy sugar on a daily basis, to fund their illegal activities.

I request the Committee that is handling this matter to take it up.

kwa miaka mingi inayokuja kwa sababu viwanda vyetu havijakuwa na uwezo wa kusiaga sukari ya kutosha ili kuwafaidi wananchi wa Kenya.

Uagizaji wa sukari kutoka nje ni njia moj aambayo mabwanyenye wanajipatia fedha za urahisi kwa sababu sukari nyingi inayoletwa kutoka nchi za nje hailipiwi ushuru sawa sawa. Ndiyo maana wanaweza kuuza sukari kwa bei ya chini na sukari ya hapa nchini inauzwa kwa bei ya juu.

Bw. Spika, hatuwezi kukosa kulaumu viwanda vya sukari kwa sababu kuna vingine ambavyo vimewahi kuleta sukari kutoka nje, wakaiweka katika mifuko yao ili kuiuza kama sukari ambayo imetengenezwa hapa nchini.

Finally we have Sen. Pareno.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for allowing me to contribute to this Statement. It is sad because it looks like every single day in this House; we are just talking about corruption, scandal after scandal and impunity upon impunity. We are losing this country.

To pick up from where Sen. Mwangi left, we have killed our sugar industries and factories so that we import unhealthy sugar for the benefit of those who are doing it. I think it is time we rescued this country as the Senate. Very soon, we will have no country to rescue. From what is happening, this country will actually run away from us. Picking from where Sen. Mwangi left, I think it is time we invoked Article 94 (4) of the Constitution. This Senate can oversight all officers inclusive of the President and his Deputy. Maybe it is time to impeach them. This country is running away from everybody; we cannot manage anything. They cannot manage this country.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, my submission is that this Senate should rise to the occasion and save this country. Otherwise we are losing it and we can start by impeaching the Government of the day.

kwa miaka mingi inayokuja kwa sababu viwanda vyetu havijakuwa na uwezo wa kusiaga sukari ya kutosha ili kuwafaidi wananchi wa Kenya.

Uagizaji wa sukari kutoka nje ni njia moj aambayo mabwanyenye wanajipatia fedha za urahisi kwa sababu sukari nyingi inayoletwa kutoka nchi za nje hailipiwi ushuru sawa sawa. Ndiyo maana wanaweza kuuza sukari kwa bei ya chini na sukari ya hapa nchini inauzwa kwa bei ya juu.

Bw. Spika, hatuwezi kukosa kulaumu viwanda vya sukari kwa sababu kuna vingine ambavyo vimewahi kuleta sukari kutoka nje, wakaiweka katika mifuko yao ili kuiuza kama sukari ambayo imetengenezwa hapa nchini.

Finally we have Sen. Pareno.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for allowing me to contribute to this Statement. It is sad because it looks like every single day in this House; we are just talking about corruption, scandal after scandal and impunity upon impunity. We are losing this country.

To pick up from where Sen. Mwangi left, we have killed our sugar industries and factories so that we import unhealthy sugar for the benefit of those who are doing it. I think it is time we rescued this country as the Senate. Very soon, we will have no country to rescue. From what is happening, this country will actually run away from us. Picking from where Sen. Mwangi left, I think it is time we invoked Article 94 (4) of the Constitution. This Senate can oversight all officers inclusive of the President and his Deputy. Maybe it is time to impeach them. This country is running away from everybody; we cannot manage anything. They cannot manage this country.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, my submission is that this Senate should rise to the occasion and save this country. Otherwise we are losing it and we can start by impeaching the Government of the day.

Order, Senators. We have spent quite a bit of time on these two Statements for obvious reasons; that they raised important issues that are topical and of a national nature, as we speak.

Therefore, hon. Senators, the two Statements; one by the Senator for Bungoma County - Sen. Wetangula, and the one by the Senator for Kakamega County - Sen. Malalah, relate to a general topical concern that is important to our economy, our country and by extension, to the lives of the people of Kenya in a large scale.

In this regard, and considering the immense public interest in this matter relating to the importation of sugar that is laced with dangerous chemicals, I direct that two committees of this House, namely; the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries and the Senate Committee on Tourism, Trade Industrialization, be seized of the matter as raised in the two statements, with a view to investigating the matters raised, and report to the Senate within 14 days from today. It is so ordered. I thank you.

Order, Senators. We are not able to transact that Order because all that remains is division relating to the Committee of the Whole stage. I therefore defer that Order to tomorrow.

b) Inclusion of a representative from the National Intelligence Service (NIS) to assist

in security matters relating to the swearing in; c) Inclusion of a representative of the Judiciary at the county level who will provide

a link with the judicial officer required to preside over the swearing in; and d) Gender equity in two positions that are to be filled by two persons that are to be

nominated by the governor-elect upon the declaration of the final results of the elections of the governor. The two persons will be expected to represent the interest of the governor-elect in the assumption of office. Madam Temporary Chair, on the same Clause 5, the Committee proposes to amend Clause 5 (4) of the Bill to provide that in the absence of the chairperson of the assumption committee, the members of the committee shall elect a chairperson from among members appointed under sub section 2 (b) to (f) to preside over the meeting. Clause 5 (7) provides that the term of office of the committee shall lapse upon the submission of the report of the committee to the County Assembly in accordance to Clause 16. The Committee proposes to amend this Clause for proper cross-referencing to refer to Clause 21 and not Clause 16 as indicated in the Bill.

(Question of the amendment proposed) The Temporary Chairperson (Sen. Nyamunga): Hon. Senators, Division will come at the end. Clause 6

The Temporary Chairperson (Sen. Nyamunga): Proceed, Sen. Cherargei.

THAT Clause 5 of the Bill be amended –

b) Inclusion of a representative from the National Intelligence Service (NIS) to assistin security matters relating to the swearing in; c) Inclusion of a representative of the Judiciary at the county level who will providea link with the judicial officer required to preside over the swearing in; and d) Gender equity in two positions that are to be filled by two persons that are to benominated by the governor-elect upon the declaration of the final results of the elections of the governor. The two persons will be expected to represent the interest of the governor-elect in the assumption of office. Madam Temporary Chair, on the same Clause 5, the Committee proposes to amend Clause 5 (4) of the Bill to provide that in the absence of the chairperson of the assumption committee, the members of the committee shall elect a chairperson from among members appointed under sub section 2 (b) to (f) to preside over the meeting. Clause 5 (7) provides that the term of office of the committee shall lapse upon the submission of the report of the committee to the County Assembly in accordance to Clause 16. The Committee proposes to amend this Clause for proper cross-referencing to refer to Clause 21 and not Clause 16 as indicated in the Bill.(Question of the amendment proposed) The Temporary Chairperson (

Clause 7 (2) gives provision to the assumption committee to coopt into a sub- committee, an expert for effective functioning of the committee. The Committee proposes to amend this Clause to limit the number of persons to be coopted to two as the Bill is currently so. We are amending the number of people to be coopted as aligned in the Bill. It is silent on the number of people to be coopted to the two.

(Question of the amendment proposed) The Temporary Chairperson (Sen. Nyamunga): Division will come at the end. Clause 8

(Question, that Clause 8 be part of the Bill proposed) The Temporary Chairperson (Sen. Nyamunga): Division will come at the end. Clause 9

The Temporary Chairperson (Sen. Nyamunga): Proceed, Sen. Cherargei.

Hon. Senators, Division will come at the end. Clause 6The Temporary Chairperson (

Thank you, Madam Temporary Chair. I beg to move: THAT the Bill be amended by deleting Clause 11. Clause 11 provides for the inability of the governor or the deputy governor to assume office. The Bill provides that in the event that the governor-elect dies after being

Thank you, Madam Temporary Chair. I beg to move: THAT Clause 6 of the Bill be amended –

outlined in (i) to (iv); (vi) a report of all ongoing projects including donor funded projects; (vii) an up to date report on all pending legal cases; and (viii) county source of funding. (iii) inserting the following new paragraph immediately after paragraph (f)

Thank you, Madam Temporary Chair. I beg to move: THAT Clause 7 of the Bill be amended by deleting sub clause (2) and substituting therefor the following new sub clause —

Yes, we are proposing to delete it.

The Temporary Chairperson

(Sen. Nyamunga)

: The Division will be done at the end. Clause 14

Madam Temporary Chairperson, I beg to move:- THAT the Bill be amended by deleting Clause 14. Clause 14 of the Bill provides a clear framework for the filling of a vacancy in the Office of the Deputy Governor. The Committee proposes that the Bill be amended by deleting Clause 14.

Division will come at the end. Clause 8(Question, that Clause 8 be part of the Bill proposed) The Temporary Chairperson (

The Temporary Chairperson (Sen. Nyamunga): The Division will be done at the end. Clause 15

Madam Temporary Chairperson, I beg to move:- THAT the Bill be amended by deleting Clause 15 and substituting therefor the following new clause –

Swearing in ceremony.

Madam Temporary Chairperson, I beg to move:- THAT Clause 16 of the Bill be amended –

The Temporary Chairperson (Sen. Nyamunga): The Division will be done at the end. Clause 17

Madam Temporary Chairperson, I beg to move:- THAT Clause 17 of the Bill be amended in sub clause (1) by inserting the following new paragraph immediately after paragraph (a) —

(aa)

the county coat of arms;

The Temporary Chairperson

(Sen. Nyamunga)

: The Division will be done at the end. Clauses 18-22

The Temporary Chairperson

(Sen. Nyamunga)

: The Division will be done at the end. Clause 23

Division will come at the end. Clause 11 The Temporary Chairperson (

Amendment?

Thank you, Madam Temporary Chair. I beg to move: THAT the Bill be amended by deleting Clause 11. Clause 11 provides for the inability of the governor or the deputy governor to assume office. The Bill provides that in the event that the governor-elect dies after being

declared elected as governor, but before assuming office or he is an able to assume office, the deputy governor shall be sworn in as acting governor, and fresh elections held within 60 days after the death of the governor-elect.(Question of the amendment proposed) The Temporary Chairperson (

Madam Temporary Chairperson, I beg to move:- THAT the Bill be amended by inserting the following new clause immediately after Clause 24 — Consequential amendments. No. 24 of 2011.

24A. The Elections Act is amended in section 86 by inserting the following new subsection immediately after subsection (1) - (1A) Upon the nullification of an election of a county governor, the Commission shall upon receipt of certification under sub section (1) , publish a notice in the Gazette within seven days – (1B) The notice referred to in subsection (2) shall –

Proceed, Sen. Cherargei.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Chair. I beg to move: THAT the Bill be amended by deleting Clause 12. Clause 12 provides for the assumption of the office of the governor by the deputy governor. (Question of the amendment proposed) The Temporary Chairperson (

SECOND SCHEDULE (s. 6(2A)) FORMAT FOR COUNTY INFORMATION

Division will come at the end. Clause 13

Madam Temporary Chairperson, I beg to move:- THAT the Bill be amended by deleting Clause 13. Clause 13 of the Bill sets out instances where the Office of the Deputy Governor becomes vacant. So, it becomes part of the Bill. The Temporary Chairperson (

It is deleted.

Department Authorized Establishment In post Variance Pensionable Contract Casuals No. of Persons with Disability Management Annual Wage Bill Remarks

No.

Madam Temporary Chairperson, I beg to move:- THAT the Bill be amended by deleting Clause 14. Clause 14 of the Bill provides a clear framework for the filling of a vacancy in the Office of the Deputy Governor. The Committee proposes that the Bill be amended by deleting Clause 14.

of cases where County is the Defendant/ Respondent Remarks

Revenue Source FY 20……/ 20…...... (Actual) FY 20……/ 20…...... (Actual) FY 20……/ 20….....( Actual) FY 20……/ 20…...... (Actual) FY 20……/ 20….....( Actual) FY 20……/ 20….....( Actual) Remarks

Madam Temporary Chairperson, I beg to move:- THAT the Bill be amended by deleting Clause 15 and substituting therefor the following new clause –

Swearing in ceremony.

Madam Temporary Chairperson, I beg to move:- THAT Clause 16 of the Bill be amended –

The Temporary Chairperson (

The Division will be done at the end. Clause 17

Madam Temporary Chairperson, I beg to move:- THAT Clause 17 of the Bill be amended in sub clause (1) by inserting the following new paragraph immediately after paragraph (a) — (aa) the county coat of arms; (Question of the amendment proposed) The Temporary Chairperson (

Order, Senators! I think there are two Orders. We will start with the The Assumption of Office of the County Governor Bill (Senate Bills No.1 of 2018) . Yes, proceed, Chairperson.

The Division will be done at the end. Clauses 18-22 (Question, that Clauses 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 be part of the Bill, proposed) The Temporary Chairperson (

Yes, Mover?

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Committee on the said Report.

Clauses 24 and 25

Madam Temporary Chairperson, I beg to move:- THAT the Bill be amended by inserting the following new clause immediately after Clause 19 —

Swearing in of Deputy Governor who assumes office of County Governor. 19A. The provisions of this Act relating to the swearing in ceremony of a County Governor-elect shall apply, with the necessary modifications –

Madam Temporary Chairperson, I beg to move:- THAT the Bill be amended by inserting the following new clause immediately after Clause 23 —

Funding. 23A. The funding for the assumption of office of a governor

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to report progress; that the Committee of the whole House has considered The County Governments (Amendment) (No.2) Bill (Senate Bills No.7 of 2017) and seeks leave to sit again tomorrow.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that the House

Order, Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jnr! Where is the debate?

SECOND SCHEDULE (s. 6(2A)) FORMAT FOR COUNTY INFORMATION

Account name Account No. Bank Amount Remarks

Department Authorized Establishment In post Variance Pensionable Contract Casuals No. of Persons with Disability Management Annual Wage Bill Remarks

Sen. Omogeni, when the Chair indulges you, it does not include a leeway to pick water and greet people. It means you proceed with haste to your nearest point of settlement.

Hon. Senators, I will now put the question.

Nature of Case Total No. of Cases

of cases where County is the Plaintiff /Applicant

of cases where County is the Defendant/ Respondent Remarks

Revenue Source FY 20……/ 20…...... (Actual) FY 20……/ 20…...... (Actual) FY 20……/ 20….....( Actual) FY 20……/ 20…...... (Actual) FY 20……/ 20….....( Actual) FY 20……/ 20….....( Actual) Remarks

We now proceed to Order No. 11 so that we give progress together.

Madam Temporary Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 142, I beg to move that the Committee of the Whole report progress on its consideration of the The Assumption of Office of the County Governor Bill (Senate Bills No.1 of 2018) and seek leave to sit again tomorrow. (Question proposed) (Question put and agreed to) The Temporary Chairperson (

Where is the Senate Majority Leader?

This Motion was moved and replied to and the question was proposed. So, it is now open for Members to debate.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. Pursuant to Standing Order 142, I beg to move that the Committee of the Whole reports progress on its consideration of the The County Governments (Amendment) (No.2) Bill (Senate Bills No.7 of 2017) and seeks leave to sit again tomorrow.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Chairperson.

Proceed, Sen. Cherargei.

I do not know if somebody is switching off the microphone. It might be political sabotage.

Order, Sen. Cherargei! The Standing Orders prohibit you from imputing improper motives.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I apologize.

Very well, proceed.

There is also the issue of farming. I want to say with a heavy heart that as farmers from north rift, it is important that a lot of key issues, especially concerning farming, form part of the discussions we will have in Uasin Gishu County. We have heard about maize issues. We need to ensure that we provide direction to the many residents who are majorly farmers from Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Kakamega, Bungoma, Vihiga, Kisumu and Kericho which is in the south rift because they are the people who toil and work hard to ensure that Kenyans do not go hungry.

There are many issues not only concerning maize but also tea and sugar that we discussed. All these are emotive issues. Our sugar levels have been skyrocketing and that is why we are concerned that these issues must be handled. When we go there, let us

I second.

discuss more of these issues that concerns north rift. I am not saying we exclude any other part of Kenya. However, I humbly request that we should go and discuss issues of farming.

Most Senators here are farmers because they come from farming areas. When farming does not take place in the north rift, Kenyans will go hungry. Therefore, we appreciate the role that they play. I hope we will provide direction.

There was a statement on sugar that you have directed to a committee and I hope by that time, the report will be ready. I also hope my report, courtesy of Sen. Isaac Mwaura on corruption, will be ready.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, thirdly, in as much as farming is facing many problems, we need to agree as Senate, because under the Constitution, agriculture is one of the devolved functions. I appreciate the passion that all the Senators had towards the problems bedeviling the agricultural subsector must be dealt with.

I am a Member of the ad hoc committee that was created by the Senate on the issue of problems affecting tea farmers in this country. We need to put it into perspective. When we have a sitting there, the people who will come and follow the proceedings are majorly farmers. We should take time and assure them that the legislative, policy framework and the reports of the House based on agriculture must be dealt with. We must give direction on this.

Fourth, we have so many natural resources, I am aware of some in Migori County where our late brother, Sen. Ben Okello, came from and many other areas. I hope my petition which is undergoing your scrutiny on the issues and problems being faced by the people of Karebe Goldmine will at that time have reached fruition so that the people who come from that region will be fully aware of what we are discussing.

I know there are many petitions that are lying before this House, which I hope at that time, they will be ready so that the petitions that have priority and concern especially Nandi County where I come from, where some of these issues like the Karebe Goldmine which we are facing in Chemelil/Chemase Ward must be addressed.

This House has pronounced itself before on the Report of Talai Historical Injustices in Nandi County. I hope the reports on such petitions will be ready, such that the Karebe Goldmine issue which will come and the issues affecting the people of Nandi can be canvassed and debated upon. We expect the Senate in its wisdom to provide the necessary direction on some of these issues that are affecting farmers.

There is also the issue of historical injustices. During the last Parliament, the Chair and many others worked tirelessly and burnt the midnight oil to ensure that the issues of historical injustices are dealt with.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am happy that the Cabinet Secretary of Interior and Co-ordination of National Government, Dr. Fred Matiang’i, the Governor of Kisumu County, Prof. Anyang’-Nyong’o, who was formerly a Senator in this House, my Governor and Governor Stephen Sang, who was also a former Senator of Nandi County had a meeting yesterday in Nakuru with the council of elders and decided to take the route of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) on the issue of boundaries.

I know in Nandi, we had wanted to take over around two constituencies or seven towns so that we can increase our revenue there. But I agree that that issue needs ADR---

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to report progress; that the Committee of the whole House has considered The County Governments (Amendment) (No.2) Bill (Senate Bills No.7 of 2017) and seeks leave to sit again tomorrow.

Yes, Mover?

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that the House

Order, Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jnr! Where is the debate?

I have heard it from a very senior Member of this House, the former Attorney-General emeritus, that it is ‘doth.’

‘Doth’ is the traditional version; ‘do’ is modern; and both are right.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, let us do the modern times version, whereas ‘doth’ is ‘do’.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Committee on the said Report. I ask Sen. Wako to Second.

Sen. Wako seconded.

Thank you. Sen. Mutula Kilonzo Jnr., ours is a House and process bound by customs and traditions. Therefore, when you have a choice between modernity and custom, you choose custom.

Sen. Omogeni, when the Chair indulges you, it does not include a leeway to pick water and greet people. It means you proceed with haste to your nearest point of settlement.

Hon. Senators, I will now put the question.

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. In the Senate, we do not have the confusion of the word “doth” or “do.” We stand guided by the Table. Could you direct that we either use “doth” or “do” because we cannot have both? If the custom is “doth”, then we should use “doth” because we have no problem with saying “doth” the same way we do not have a problem with saying “conscientiously.” Your directions are important.

Sen. Mutula Kilonzo Jnr., what is out of order? Is it “do” or “doth”?

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, you pointed out to a very important issue on custom. I remember in the previous Senate, we used the word “doth.” I do not know at what point we changed the word to “do.” However, the Table officers here have been useful to us and we thank them for being useful all the time. However, we cannot do this without some form of direction. There must have been something that was done internally to change this to “do.” From where you, Sen. Wako and I come from, we love the word “doth” notwithstanding---

Where do we come from?

Thank, Sen. Pareno. I hope you were not implying similar consequences for the Speaker of the Senate if the sittings outside Nairobi are stopped once they are approved. I hope that was not the issue.

Which does not apply in this case.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, it might not apply here.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, it does not apply.

Thank you, Senator. Sen. Wako.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me the opportunity to speak on this very important Motion. In fact, we had discussed it in the Kamukunji.

The Motion speaks for itself and the justification is there, which is, to provide an opportunity to Members and staff of county assemblies to learn and borrow best practices from the Senate, promote the role and work of the Senate et cetera. This are very noble objectives to which I subscribe.

I do not know if somebody is switching off the microphone. It might be political sabotage.

Order, Sen. Cherargei! The Standing Orders prohibit you from imputing improper motives.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I apologize.

Very well, proceed.

There is also the issue of farming. I want to say with a heavy heart that as farmers from north rift, it is important that a lot of key issues, especially concerning farming, form part of the discussions we will have in Uasin Gishu County. We have heard about maize issues. We need to ensure that we provide direction to the many residents who are majorly farmers from Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Kakamega, Bungoma, Vihiga, Kisumu and Kericho which is in the south rift because they are the people who toil and work hard to ensure that Kenyans do not go hungry.

There are many issues not only concerning maize but also tea and sugar that we discussed. All these are emotive issues. Our sugar levels have been skyrocketing and that is why we are concerned that these issues must be handled. When we go there, let us

discuss more of these issues that concerns north rift. I am not saying we exclude any other part of Kenya. However, I humbly request that we should go and discuss issues of farming.

Most Senators here are farmers because they come from farming areas. When farming does not take place in the north rift, Kenyans will go hungry. Therefore, we appreciate the role that they play. I hope we will provide direction.

There was a statement on sugar that you have directed to a committee and I hope by that time, the report will be ready. I also hope my report, courtesy of Sen. Isaac Mwaura on corruption, will be ready.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, thirdly, in as much as farming is facing many problems, we need to agree as Senate, because under the Constitution, agriculture is one of the devolved functions. I appreciate the passion that all the Senators had towards the problems bedeviling the agricultural subsector must be dealt with.

I am a Member of the ad hoc committee that was created by the Senate on the issue of problems affecting tea farmers in this country. We need to put it into perspective. When we have a sitting there, the people who will come and follow the proceedings are majorly farmers. We should take time and assure them that the legislative, policy framework and the reports of the House based on agriculture must be dealt with. We must give direction on this.

Fourth, we have so many natural resources, I am aware of some in Migori County where our late brother, Sen. Ben Okello, came from and many other areas. I hope my petition which is undergoing your scrutiny on the issues and problems being faced by the people of Karebe Goldmine will at that time have reached fruition so that the people who come from that region will be fully aware of what we are discussing.

I know there are many petitions that are lying before this House, which I hope at that time, they will be ready so that the petitions that have priority and concern especially Nandi County where I come from, where some of these issues like the Karebe Goldmine which we are facing in Chemelil/Chemase Ward must be addressed.

This House has pronounced itself before on the Report of Talai Historical Injustices in Nandi County. I hope the reports on such petitions will be ready, such that the Karebe Goldmine issue which will come and the issues affecting the people of Nandi can be canvassed and debated upon. We expect the Senate in its wisdom to provide the necessary direction on some of these issues that are affecting farmers.

There is also the issue of historical injustices. During the last Parliament, the Chair and many others worked tirelessly and burnt the midnight oil to ensure that the issues of historical injustices are dealt with.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am happy that the Cabinet Secretary of Interior and Co-ordination of National Government, Dr. Fred Matiang’i, the Governor of Kisumu County, Prof. Anyang’-Nyong’o, who was formerly a Senator in this House, my Governor and Governor Stephen Sang, who was also a former Senator of Nandi County had a meeting yesterday in Nakuru with the council of elders and decided to take the route of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) on the issue of boundaries.

I know in Nandi, we had wanted to take over around two constituencies or seven towns so that we can increase our revenue there. But I agree that that issue needs ADR---

Order! Did I hear you just say that you have intentions of taking over another county?

My apologies, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I said we have developed an imagination of taking over seven counties---

That is even worse!

I apologize. I withdraw that part of the statement. I want to say on that line that I am happy that the boundary issue will be resolved. There are constitutional mechanisms that are being provided on how to address boundary issues. I hope by that time, the Senate will provide direction. I know the County Boundaries Bill is before this House, and I am happy it is being expedited to ensure that it comes to fruition such that by that time, we can have up to date information on such boundaries issues that maybe Kisumu, Nandi, Kakamega have, and those issues will be put in perspective and we ensure that we sort them out, once and for all.

As I wind up, I request that those Senators who will not come, like my good friend, Sen. Mohammed Faki, Senator 001 and others including the Chair, will have time to go around our county---

Order! Sen. Faki is not Senator 001. He could be the Senator for County No.001; there is a difference between the two.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I stand guided on the same.

Proceed.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I can see the Attorney-General emeritus wants to proceed with another matter so I will try and limit my discussion.

Finally, I would request that the Chair and Senators from other regions, even Sen. Pareno, would have an opportunity to address the county assemblies. On my behalf, I would like to say that all the Senators will be welcome to Nandi County Assembly so that you can also engage the MCAs and build capacity for them in terms of oversight, how to do presentation and initiate legislation because they are the foot soldiers.

They are the key people who ensure that they grease the engines of devolution and also that they do not oil in the wrong direction of corruption and also look in areas like my county where we are paying subscription fee to ensure the MCAs cut weight or apply lipstick or tattoos on our bodies. I think those should be provided but we should guide them in the appropriate direction.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I support.

Thank you, Sen. Cherargei. That is well put, except the expansionist ideas.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for allowing me to contribute to this Motion. This is one very good idea from the Senate.

The Senate sitting in counties is a statement. It is an outreach programme. We have so many counties, they cannot access the Senate easily. Reaching out to them by sitting in their counties would create an environment for proper engagement with the counties and the county management.

At this particular moment when we are talking about building bridges; when the Senate sat and even had a Motion on the handshake and how we can build bridges in this

country, this act of the Senate sitting out in the counties is in itself building bridges in this country. It will build bridges with the people and to the counties that we represent.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, it will be a tool that can be used to reach out to the people. Apart from reaching out and engaging with the people, these regions have different needs and different issues with different counties. We will be able to pick out peculiar issues that will arise from each county in a better way than would be the case when we are sitting in Nairobi.

Through this programme, we will engage in different ways with different counties because they have different needs and aspects of issues that they want the Senate to address.

It will also boost the businesses of these counties. We used to have rotational sittings in the East African Legislative Asssembly (EALA). The Assembly used to rotate and sit in every partner state. The moment we landed in any partner state, that state would feel that the Assembly is there. So, in this particular aspect, if they declared a 24-hour economy like they did in Kakamega, I can assure you that these different aspects of businesses---

Any particular details?

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am thinking about the food and tourism industries and the engagement in itself. The economy of a county will definitely be boosted when the Senate sits there.

We need to be prepared for this. It will require a special budget because we do not want to go to one county and then say that we are short of funds to go to the next county. If we do so, the other counties will feel discriminated. I am sure that by the time the Senate Business Committee came up with this, they had thought about the budget that goes alongside it. I am sure that we will be able to implement it. I say this because there have been times when we want to do something as a Committee and we were told that the resources were lean. We do not want to hear that the resources are lean when it comes to sharing this circuit around the counties. If that will happen people will demand to know why we did not go to their counties.

On a lighter note, as we were going round the East African Communities (EAC) states, at one point the Speaker of the East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) tried to stop the rotation and it became a big issue. Hearing from the people and engaging with them in the counties will become so exciting that stopping it will not be easy. When the Speaker of EALA tried to stop the rotation, she was impeached. She was from Uganda and it was sad, but that is what brought a lot of issues within the Assembly. Let us get prepared for it. The counties should also be ready for it. I am sure that it will be of mutual benefit to the counties and the Senate.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I support.

Thank, Sen. Pareno. I hope you were not implying similar consequences for the Speaker of the Senate if the sittings outside Nairobi are stopped once they are approved. I hope that was not the issue.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, that was not the intention. I was just sharing the experience that we had at EALA.

Which does not apply in this case.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, it might not apply here.

Does not apply in this case?

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, it does not apply.

Thank you, Senator. Sen. Wako.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me the opportunity to speak on this very important Motion. In fact, we had discussed it in the Kamukunji.

The Motion speaks for itself and the justification is there, which is, to provide an opportunity to Members and staff of county assemblies to learn and borrow best practices from the Senate, promote the role and work of the Senate et cetera. This are very noble objectives to which I subscribe.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker, for allowing me to add my voice to this very important Motion on sitting of the Senate outside the Parliament Buildings in Nairobi.

Many of our important sittings have always been in Nairobi and the people at the grassroots need our presence.

I want to inform you that you can give notice of the amendment to the Clerk in writing. That is what the rules require of you for that amendment to be considered.

Order, Senator! Hon. Senators, I now defer the rest of the business to be listed in tomorrow’s Order Paper.

Madam Temporary Speaker, the Motion should be ready. I told Sen. Olekina, who happens to come from the Maasai community, to draft his amendments. He is not here. He told me he had begun drafting it. So, I am sure that tomorrow morning, I will be able to submit it to the Clerk.

Thank you.

Sen. Halake Abshiro, the Floor is yours.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. I stand to support this Motion. My senior colleague has mentioned the need for these sittings to be rotational as opposed to being in one place. In line with the principle of the hard to reach places, after Uasin Gishu County – I do not know what the rationale for choosing the county was – we can start with the hard to reach counties of northern Kenya like Isiolo, Marsabit, Mandera, Moyale and Wajir where this Senate perhaps, needs to see what the people there go through and also in the spirit of making sure that we take services closer to Kenyans. That will auger well with the people.

This is a good Motion, notwithstanding where we are starting from. We will definitely make sure that the Senate in execution of its mandate ensures that it is there for the people.

With regard to the objects of this Motion, I am pleased that we have all the four objectives that are noble in as far as taking ourselves to the people is concerned. However, there is one thing that I feel my senior colleague who will be drafting the amendments has to add. This is with regard to accountability of the Senate to the people they serve.

We have drafted this Motion as if we are the only ones who know everything and we will be imparting knowledge downstream, but I am sure that we will learn much more

when we go to the counties. Perhaps, we will get a lot of intelligence from the counties that will help us to execute our mandate. So, an object could be added in the draft amendments that, the Senate’s objective is to take itself before the people and to be accountable to the people who are its customers.

The counties are our number one customers and we are there to protect them. Therefore, in addition to us providing opportunities for Members to promote the role and work of the Senate, highlight existing opportunities and develop and strengthen partnerships, we will also be putting ourselves out there to be accountable, questioned and ensure that we do not think that we are the only ones who can impart knowledge. This will make us humble and have an open mind to be accountable to the people.

Going forward, I suggest that we start from some of these counties so that we help them to anticipate and create competition between counties, especially the far-flung counties. This is a timely Motion and I support it.

There is nothing as good as somebody who has the mandate to protect devolution sitting in the devolved units and seeing things from the perspective of our counterparts downstream. This will ensure that we look after their interests and legislate from their perspective.

Of importance – as I said – in the amendments, as an objective, we should add a clause purposing us to go to the counties as a sign of being accountable to the people.

Thank you.

Let us have, Sen. (Dr.) Inimah Getrude Musuruve.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. I stand to add my voice to this noble Motion. The Motion is timely. It is time we said that devolution is not a baby anymore; it is now a grown-up child. It is a tool that we can use to reach out to the people.

Having Senate meetings in different counties in the Republic is backed by the Constitution. Article one of the Constitution states clearly that all sovereign power belongs to the people of Kenya. When we take our sittings to the people, we will be affirming that power belongs to the people. We represent our constituencies indirectly, but when we go to the counties, we will now be giving them direct power because they will listen to us and we will listen to them. So, going there will have a big impact.

Our Constitution stipulates clearly the role of the Senate. We represent the counties and we serve to protect their interests and governments. So, when we take our sittings to the counties, we are doing what the Constitution demands of us. When we do what the Constitution demands of us, in essence what we will be communicating is that, we are becoming servant leaders. That is what the President was calling upon all of us to be; servant leaders who are committed to work. When we go to the people and talk to them, we will strengthen this belief and they will see that we are committed to serve them.

Madam Temporary Speaker, we are sitting here because we have been employed by the people of the counties that we represent because we want to deliver on our mandate when we go to counties. The people will see that we are serious and committed to our business.

I like the proposed timing on this Motion for us to be in the counties. We will be in the first county, Uasin Gishu County, from 24th to 28th September, 2018. That will be ample time to listen to the issues of the counties and for them to appreciate that we are sincere in our leadership and as such, they will have faith in us.

I want to suggest that as we plan to conduct our sittings in the counties, the contents of the Order Paper should address some of the core issues that affect the specific counties we will be visiting. Constituents will be happy if we do this. For example, we are planning to go to Uasin Gishu, if we have issues of maize as part of the Orders of the day, then during debate, constituents will appreciate that we are keen and we have their interests at heart. That is what this Senate does.

Going to the counties will help us in a big way in our oversight role. We will listen to the problems people have and ask questions of accountability. We have had times when people travel from the counties to this House to listen to our proceedings and engage with us. It is expensive to travel to Nairobi, and therefore, the people who visit us are small groups. However, when we go to the counties, many Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) will come to listen to our debates and borrow a leaf from us and we will also learn from them.

Going to the counties will be a good follow-up of the resolutions of the Legislative Summit we had in Mombasa. In that Summit, we looked at how we can engage with the county assemblies to ensure that devolution becomes a reality. So, when we go there, we will be stressing on what we agreed in Mombasa. Going to Mombasa for the Legislative Summit was not a waste of resources because of what is about to happen. We now want to meet the people, engage with them, feel them and understand them. We want to ensure that we deliver to the people of this Republic.

Madam Temporary Speaker, people need to come and question us on pertinent issues. There is need to sensitise the people of that particular county so that they are aware that the Senate will have its sittings there. County assembly members should also be made aware that the Senate will sit in their chamber. This will enable them to organise themselves with the burning questions that they would like us to address.

Madam Temporary Speaker, we have a commitment to serve the people of this Republic. We want to engage with people in the counties so that they know that we are determined to serve them. When we are in the North Rift, the Senate can address issues affecting other neighbouring counties such as Bungoma and Kakamega. We can do the same for the whole country.

I believe when we go to the counties, our people will expect a lot from us. We have a mandate to deliver to the people of this nation and show them that we are here because of them. If it were not for them, we would not be here. They have the sovereign power in this Republic and we want to serve them diligently.

It will not be a waste of resources for us to rotationally sit in all the counties. This is the only way counties will know that we are serious about serving them. They will be happy that we are engaging with them directly at the grassroots level. In some counties, maybe people have never had the opportunity to come to the Senate. When the Senate goes to the counties, it will be a boon for us in leadership. People will see us as going to them as their servants and that we want to lead them.

I support this Motion.

Hon. Senators, it is now 6.30 p.m., time to adjourn the Senate. The Senate, therefore, stands adjourned until tomorrow, Thursday, 21st June, 2018, at 2.30 p.m.

The Senate rose at 6.30 p.m.

deteriorate to the level of forming gullies. This is a national road linking this country to our neighbouring country of Tanzania.

I hope that we will get another opportunity to hold another sitting in one of the county headquarters where we will have to travel by road. That way, we can have a true feel of how Kenyans feel on the state of our roads which have deteriorated and I am sorry to say so.

We should also borrow a leaf from what the governors have been doing for the last five years. The Council of Governors (CoG) has been holding the annual CoG conferences where the people get involved. Other than the idea of a 24 hour economy, these meetings have been used to showcase what other counties are doing. In the last meeting that they held, the Governor of Makueni County was applauded as he showcased the kind of growth that his county has experienced.

Madam Temporary Speaker, Sir, I hope that our colleagues in county assemblies will borrow some good practices on the business and dealings of the Senate.

Therefore, Madam Temporary, Speaker, this Motion deserves our support. I hope that as my colleague, Sen. Wako, has stated, this is something that will extend to other counties and that it will not be an event that will be applicable only to the sittings in Uasin Gishu County.

Finally, Madam Temporary, Speaker, I hope that we shall also use this opportunity, as we go to Uasin Gishu County, to give a true effect on the handshake that we had between His Excellency the President and the Rt. Hon. former Prime Minister. We should use this opportunity to demonstrate to the people that we want to pursue an agenda of unity and nation building, where each and every Kenyan has a sense of belonging in building a nation. We should also build a country where we should not worry about our tribes, but look at ourselves as Kenyans who want to build one nation. I hope that my good friend, Sen. Wamatangi, will be there to shake hands with the people of Uasin Gishu County. While there, he should assure them that after the handshake, we want to move forward as a team and build a strong Kenya that our children and the children that will come after them will be proud of.

Madam Temporary, Speaker, with those few remarks, I fully support this Motion.

Thank you, Madam Temporary, Speaker. I rise to support the Motion that this House adopts and proceeds to hold its sittings outside Parliament, with the first proposed sitting being in Uasin Gishu County.

Madam Temporary, Speaker, when the first sitting of the Senate was convened in 2013, part of the proposals and questions that came from the public in the debate that ensued was why Senators should travel all the way from as far as Mandera, Kisumu and Tana River to come and sit in one House in Nairobi to deliberate the issues that affect the people in those places. In the debate we engaged in then, there were proposals that we should have a system where Members contribute even via video link. That tells us the importance with which members of the public hold this particular concept of having sittings within an area that is accessible to them.

Madam Temporary, Speaker, without being repetitive, I would like to acknowledge the role of this House, as is well articulated in Article 96 of the Constitution. One would ask why this did not happen earlier than now. Why did we take

so long to decide that it is time for us to take our services to the people, engage them and see what they are able to do? When we do that, we shall lift and understand the problems that affect the people right from where they happen.

Madam Temporary, Speaker, I would like to be clear on this one issue because during the just concluded 2017 General Elections, less than 30 per cent of the 47 elected Senators who sat in the previous House found their way back to this House. I was one those that were lucky enough, and I thank God for that.

One of the questions that persisted all the time we went around during our campaigns - even now when a Senator goes to the ground, people ask what our role is and the contribution we make to the national duty of law making and development. Those questions are hard to answer when the parameters of measuring the contribution of a Member of Parliament (MP) or an elected leader have been set. People want to know the number of projects that we have opened or the amount of money we give out in harambees and so forth.

It is a good concept for the House to sit at the county level for members of the public to witness what we do. I would like to propose that these sittings be made a routine. They should not be exceptional to only a time when a Motion is brought before the House. At the time of making the Senate Calendar, after this realization, it should be a norm for the sittings of the Senate to happen outside this central sitting. We should maximize this. The Speakers Panel comprises of six Members which means that at any given time, we can hold six sittings in six different counties. For example, if a proposal to go around all the 47 counties was to be adopted, six Members of the Speaker’s Panel would sit in each of the sittings. We would require less than eight sittings to do a whole House sitting within all the 47 counties. It does not have to be a big deal that requires a lot of over-planning for it to be a reality.

Madam Temporary Speaker, as we hold these sittings, we should also know the value it will add to the counties. We should address the question of value. What will be the procedure for the first sitting so that we accommodate the views of MPs?

Madam Temporary Speaker, if the Senate sits outside its usual place, the rules of the House will apply. Therefore, it is not possible for a MP to walk into this House and pose a question from the Speaker’s Gallery. Now that we are taking the Senate to the members of the public for them to witness and participate, we should also know whether we will mandate Members of this House to do a forerun within their counties and collect not only views but possible issues and questions that they would ask especially the County of Uasin Gishu where we are starting. The Senator can then pose those questions during that sitting at either Statement or question time. This will make members of that county to feel that it is valuable for them to spend their time to witness the sitting. I say this so that these sittings are not deemed to be a spectacle for people to witness and see Sen. Wamatangi, Sen. Wako and others speak because I am sure they have seen us on television. What is the value proposition of this particular sitting?

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I believe that if we have a formula of accommodating the views of members of the public, we would give it more value and give the members of the public more reason to want to participate.

Since 2013 to date, more than Kshs1.6 trillion has been devolved to counties. The question one would ask is: What role this House has played to ensure that the money has found its way to the counties. During the first, second, third and fourth year of devolution, this House has its records that we stood for and by the counties almost to a fault. There were times when this House found itself right in the opposite side of the Government and the National Assembly. It is not only once, twice or thrice that Members of this House have had to go for mediation. This House has stood firm that more funds must go to the counties.

In light of that background, look at what is happening in counties. It is on record that more than Kshs100 billion is reported to be in pending bills at county governments. That means that within those counties, traders, members of the public and business people who are within those counties have invested their money. They have gone and honoured the call to supply or give services to those counties and up to today, they have not been paid. That is notwithstanding the fact that some of those bills, as reported by the Auditor-General, are probably not genuine. However, part of those bills are genuine.

Madam Temporary Speaker, one would ask what role the Senate has played centrally in ensuring that while we have devolved services, have we given members of the public the opportunity to participate at the county level, even within the supplies and provision of services. What role have we played in ensuring that county governments do not become centers of fleecing members of the public? I believe that by having those sittings, we can address some of those issues.

In this sitting as Parliament, we also know that according to the adjustments that were made, the Committee on Implementation is no longer sitting. That means that without the Committee on Implementation most resolutions that this House has taken, and the ones we will take, will only be entrusted to the good nature of people, who are mandated or required to implement those decisions.

We have decisions made by this House either through Bills or Motions that have not been followed up. When we go to the counties, probably, this is one of the key issues we would want to address at the county level. We would want to find out whether or not the Bills that we have passed in this House have been implemented in the counties. We would want to know whether we have been effective. Has what we have said here been followed up? That will be one way of ensuring that there is value in those sittings.

Finally, the value and importance of the role that a Senator plays not only at the county level, but also at the national level cannot be gainsaid. However, sometimes the Senate is treated with jest and contempt, and this has not ended even after the second cycle of elections. This was evidenced even when we went to Kakamega during the Annual Devolution Conference. There were simmering differences, some of them unnecessary. That tells you that the value of this House and the role that a Senator plays has still not been appreciated.

Madam Temporary Speaker, when we go to the counties, we should carry the spirit that we are not seeking to be appreciated as ‘big’ men or women, but for what we do and the value we attribute to the work we do at the counties. When we take this to the people, it will make more sense and meaning. During all the six years when we have had devolution, the one single elected legislator who has been closest to the people is a

Senator. He has been appreciated by members of the public as having been a people’s person amongst all the six people elected on the ballot during the elections.

Madam Temporary Speaker, if amongst all the six there is one who has related well to the aspirations and wishes of the people at grassroots level, it is the Senator.

As I support this Motion, I propose that we inject extra thoughts into it. However, let us not just take these sittings to the county to be seen that we have gone to the counties and once we leave that particular county, the people there will be saying: “The Senators were not just here, but they sat, debated, and brought this effect. These are the changes and differences that were occasioned by the sitting of the Senate in this county.” As we do that, it becomes a continuous arrangement.

In future, it will not be a question of debate, seeking leave of the House, permission or discussing that we will be going to the people who already sent us here. It will be automatic and known that people expect us to act where they have issues that governors cannot deal with.

If there is one office that Kenyans have a problem with, it is the governor’s. Most governors, while having first posed as servants of the people, have become tyrants of the people. If you go to a governor’s office, you find queues. It is the choice of somebody who was elected whom they are going to see. Secondly, there is the issue of making members of the public to come and invest their money in county governments. If you do not have what you have to pay to Caesar - 10 per cent - you cannot get any work.

It is on record that most governors have become billionaires within the first six months of election. We have seen it in the media. There are media claims that there are governors who have even purchased yachts. Some have purchased palaces. Others have purchased big storey buildings within the first six months of elections. One would be asking: Where is the Senate’s voice in most of these things? Why should we fight here to allocate Kshs314 billion to the counties within six months, only to find that a quarter of that money is stolen within the first year? Those must be the compelling reasons that will drive this House to the grassroots.

I beg to support.

Proceed, Sen. Were.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. I rise to move an amendment to this Motion that we delete the full stop after “2018” and insert a comma and also insert the following new paragraph:-

“THAT a programme of sittings outside the Parliament Buildings in Nairobi be drawn to ensure that such Sittings take place in all regions during the term of this Senate.” I invite Sen. Shiyonga to second.

You are not making any justification for those amendments.

Madam Temporary Speaker, we need the programme for the sittings outside Nairobi to ensure continuity so that it is not just the North Rift that will benefit from all the good things the Senators have said as a result of moving our sittings to the counties.

We should draw up a programme and know that a certain area expects the Senate to be in their region at a particular time. It will also promote the work of the Senate which is to protect county governments and county assemblies across the country. It will not just be a matter of Uasin Gishu County only, but the programme will give us a guarantee that all other regions of this country will have the privilege and right to have the Senate sitting in their regions. Therefore, this amendment is important for continuity purposes.

I now invite Sen. Shiyonga to second.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. I rise to support this Motion. It will be a historical for us to have our sittings outside Nairobi. Our sitting outside is not about the people, but it is all about the decisions and the policies which we will debate while there.

Our county governments are very young. They have been in existence for the last six years. Therefore, it is very important that we strengthen them. When they come into reality with what we are doing and discussing here, then it will help them grow fast and adopt the agenda in their various counties.

Madam Temporary Speaker, there are various amendments that we are doing in this Senate. There are also various Acts and Bills we have passed here to strengthen our county governments and devolution in this country. We want to spearhead devolution to greater heights. By sitting outside this building, it means we, as a Senate, are supporting devolution in a more positive way.

The issue of transporting people from various counties to this central place or Nairobi will be very expensive. By allowing ourselves, as Senators, to go to different regions in this country, it will be one way of saving resources and enhancing interactions with our people. They will also have an opportunity to tell us what they think about us. This will be better than bringing them to Nairobi.

While there, it will be good for us to invite pupils and students to listen to our debates. It will give these young ones morale so that when they are growing up, they know what type of leaders they will emulate.

Madam Temporary Speaker, it is very important that we will sit outside Nairobi and interact with people in that county. They will have many issues to share with us. They will learn how to petition the Senate and so on. However, it will now be very easy for them to do this because they are used to the environment that we will interact with them. It will be very easy for these people in this particular region that we are going to have our sitting to interact with us and pass their views or facts to us. This will enable us help and develop the functions that this Senate is mandated to do.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. I support.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker, for allowing me to add my voice to this very important Motion on sitting of the Senate outside the Parliament Buildings in Nairobi.

Many of our important sittings have always been in Nairobi and the people at the grassroots need our presence.

Order, Senator! Hon. Senators, I now defer the rest of the business to be listed in tomorrow’s Order Paper.

COGNIZANT that for purposes of registration of persons living with disability, it is a mandatory requirement for one to undergo medical examination by a registered medical officer in a registered and certified health facility; CONCERNED that of the nearly 4 million Kenyans living with disabilities who reside in Kenya, there is a very small fraction of the number which is duly registered; AWARE that medical services are now a devolved function; FURTHER CONCERNED that without proper registration, many persons living with disabilities are denied services because they lack the necessary proof of disability; ALSO CONCERNED that owing to lack of accurate data on persons living with disabilities, the government at both levels cannot plan properly for this category of people; NOW THEREFORE, the Senate calls upon the National Council for Persons with Disabilities in collaboration with Ministry of East African Community, Labour and Social Protection and county governments, to carry out a nationwide registration of all persons living with disabilities in order to determine their exact population to facilitate effective service for this marginalized group of our society. (Motion deferred)

NOW THEREFORE, the Senate calls upon the national Government to develop a lasting framework to permanently address the challenge of effects of floods by, among other things:-

CONCERNED THAT, the transfers have led to shortage of skilled teachers which has been a major cause of the dismal performance in examinations in schools in the region; NOW THEREFORE, the Senate resolves to task the Standing Committee on Education to conduct an inquiry into the challenges facing the education sector in Northern Kenya with a view to-

Hon. Senators, it is now 6.30 p.m., time to adjourn the Senate. The Senate, therefore, stands adjourned until tomorrow, Thursday, 21st June, 2018, at 2.30 p.m.

The Senate rose at 6.30 p.m.